What questions do YOU ask?

[jamiem]

What questions do you ask the parents when doing interviews? The first time around I was more concerned with getting my daycare going and selling myself to the parents. I ended up getting really lucky and I have amazing families. Now I am expanding my daycare by one spot so I am doing interviews again. After reading. some of the horror stories on here I am a little nervous What questions do you ask to get to know the parents better and determine if they will be good, responsible, fair parents to work with?

[daycarediva]

I get a LOT of questions answered through chit chat, so I tend to let parents ramble.

I like to learn things like: How long have they lived in the area, what they do for a living, what is dck's home life/family situation like, previous childcare arrangements and why they left, favorite foods, THEIR philosophy on discipline, what they think their childs strengths and weaknesses are, if they have any developmental concerns, that sort of thing.

I usually talk about the daycare AFTER that, so I know pretty much if we are going to be on the same page.

I had a parent tell me when asked about discipline they never want dck to hear the word no. Didn't I say "No, no dck we use gentle hands with the cat." immediately following that as the Mom sat there and did nothing as her child was beating my poor cat.

[blandino]

Everything daycarediva said.

I also ask what kind of schedule their baby is on, to get an idea of how/what they beleive about schedules for children.

[Blackcat31]

I spend a HUGE portion of the interview talking with parents about what goals and expectations they have for their child, not only in daycare but in general.

I like to talk with them about routines at home for meals, bedtime and discipline and guidance.

I think it is VERY important to have parents who have the same values and philosophies as I do. It helps when we need to talk about an issue later.

I want to know how they handle the tough stuff.

How do they manage temper tantrums while in the middle of a family dinner in a packed restaurant?

How do they plan to deal with illness and situations in which their child may be excluded for care or that care is not available that day?

How would they handle a negative behavior report from daycare?

Does the family do things together as a family?

What are the family rules about TV? How much do the kids watch?

What are their expectations of me?

What are their philosophies and beliefs as far as meals, manners and general behavior for their child.

I also ask the what they enjoy most about parenting and what do they enjoy the least.

Sometimes the questions I ask are FAR more insightful than the questions the parents ask as to whether a family is or isn't a good fit for my program.

That's all I could think of off the top of my head..... Similar stuff like that.

[Cradle2crayons]

I usually ask about::::
Previous Childcare experiences
What they do as a family
What they expect from me as far as discipline
Favorite foods
Favorite activities
Relationships the child has with siblings, peers, extended family
What they plan on doing if the child is sick
Child's medical history
Child's development